7 The identity of the speaker in vv. 4–6 is unclear. The present translation assumes that the psalmist, who also speaks in vv. 7–9 (where God/the Lord is spoken of in the third person) here addresses the proud and warns them of God’s judgment. The presence of כִּי (ki, “for”) at the beginning of both vv. 6–7 seems to indicate that vv. 4–9 are a unit. However, there is no formal indication of a new speaker in v. 4 (or in v. 10, where God appears to speak). Another option is to see God speaking in vv. 2–6 and v. 10 and to take only vv. 7–9 as the words of the psalmist. In this case one must interpret כִּי at the beginning of v. 7 in an asseverative or emphatic sense (“surely; indeed”).
8 Heb “do not lift up a horn.” The horn of an ox underlies the metaphor (see Deut 33:17; 1 Kgs 22:11; Ps 92:10). The horn of the wild ox is frequently a metaphor for military strength; the idiom “exalt/lift up the horn” signifies military victory (see 1 Sam 2:10; Pss 89:17, 24; 92:10; Lam 2:17). Here the idiom seems to refer to an arrogant attitude that assumes victory has been achieved.
9 Heb “do not lift up on high your horn.”
10 Heb “[do not] speak with unrestrained neck.” The negative particle is understood in this line by ellipsis (note the preceding line). The image behind the language of vv. 4–5 is that of a powerful wild ox that confidently raises its head before its enemies.
11 Heb “for not from the east or from the west, and not from the wilderness of the mountains.” If one follows this reading the sentence is elliptical. One must supply “does help come,” or some comparable statement. However, it is possible to take הָרִים (harim) as a Hiphil infinitive from רוּם (rum), the same verb used in vv. 4–5 of “lifting up” a horn. In this case one may translate the form as “victory.” In this case the point is that victory does not come from alliances with other nations.
12 Or “judges.”
13 The imperfects here emphasize the generalizing nature of the statement.
14 Heb “for a cup [is] in the hand of the Lord, and wine foams, it is full of a spiced drink.” The noun מֶסֶךְ (mesekh) refers to a “mixture” of wine and spices.
15 Heb “and he pours out from this.”
16 Heb “surely its dregs they slurp up and drink, all the wicked of the earth.” The psalmist pictures God as forcing the wicked to gulp down an intoxicating drink that will leave them stunned and vulnerable. Divine judgment is also depicted this way in Ps 60:3; Isa 51:17–23; and Hab 2:16.
17 Heb “I will declare forever.” The object needs to be supplied; God’s just judgment is in view.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;

do not lift up your horn on high,

or speak with haughty neck.’ ”

For not from the east or from the west

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup

with foaming wine, well mixed,

and he pours out from it,

and all the wicked of the earth

shall drain it down to the dregs.

But I will declare it forever;

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.

Do not lift your horns against heaven;

do not speak so defiantly.’ ”

No one from the east or the west

or from the desert can exalt themselves.

It is God who judges:

He brings one down, he exalts another.

In the hand of the Lord is a cup

full of foaming wine mixed with spices;

he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth

drink it down to its very dregs.

As for me, I will declare this forever;

I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.

Do not lift up your horn against heaven

or speak arrogantly.’ ”

Exaltation does not come

from the east, the west, or the desert,

for God is the Judge:

He brings down one and exalts another.

For there is a cup in the Lord’s hand,

full of wine blended with spices, and he pours from it.

All the wicked of the earth will drink,

draining it to the dregs.

As for me, I will tell about him forever;

I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

NLTNew Living Translation

“I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’

I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists!

Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens

or speak with such arrogance.’ ”

For no one on earth—from east or west,

or even from the wilderness—

should raise a defiant fist.

It is God alone who judges;

he decides who will rise and who will fall.

For the Lord holds a cup in his hand

that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices.

He pours out the wine in judgment,

and all the wicked must drink it,

draining it to the dregs.

But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast!’

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn!

Do not lift up high your horn.

Do not speak with arrogant pride.’ ”

For it is not from the east or the west

and not from the south that lifting up comes,

rather God is the judge;

one he brings low, and another he lifts up.

For there is a cup in the hand of Yahweh

with wine that foams, fully mixed,

and he pours out from this.

Surely all the wicked of the land

will quaff it down to its dregs.

But as for me, I will proclaim forever;

I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

KJV 1900King James Version

I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly:

And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

Lift not up your horn on high:

Speak not with a stiff neck.

For promotion cometh neither from the east,

Nor from the west, nor from the south.

But God is the judge:

He putteth down one, and setteth up another.

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red;

It is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same:

But the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

But I will declare for ever;

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Public Domain